At Sarasota Orthopedic Associates, we believe in supporting our community in many ways and we encourage our staff to do so as well. Our spine surgeon, Dr Andrew Moulton, goes a step further and shares his skills globally to help children in developing countries. Our local newspaper recently interviewed him to learn more about his mission as co-founder of the Butterfly Foundation. Read about it here:

Dr. Andrew Moulton is a nationally recognized expert in the diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders and a surgeon at Sarasota Orthopedics Associates. He is also the founder of the Butterfly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with complex spinal deformity in developing countries.

Since 2003, Dr. Moulton has performed dozens of living-saving surgeries, while promoting the advancement of spine deformity treatment technology by training local surgeons. We spoke to him recently about his philanthropic work. Visit www.SOA.md for more information.

What inspired you to start the Butterfly Foundation?

As an orthopedic resident, I visited Honduras on a pediatric mission in which many club foot surgeries were performed. The next trip, there were more patients than before. I looked at the demographics and realized that the procedures themselves were a drop in the bucket compared to the size of the problem, and then decided to focus on training local surgeons. “Teach a man to fish and he feeds his community for a lifetime” is our motto.

Where are some of the places the foundation serves?

We have ongoing efforts in the Dominican Republic, Malawi, Chile, Peru, Jamaica, Vietnam, China and Myanmar.

Because of society’s attitudes toward their deformity, we saw how these kids would come in, bundled up, socially withdrawn, embarrassed, even outcast. Once they have their surgeries and heal, they stand up straight, they run, and they jump and play. There’s such a profound joy to see them move so freely, without pain. Their transformation reminded us of how a butterfly is born and the name stuck.

What was your most memorable case?

The most memorable case may have been one of the first very extensive ones. After a 15-hour surgery, with my hands bleeding from blisters acquired over the week of surgeries, I sat in a corner waiting over an hour for the patient to wake up to ensure she was not paralyzed from the surgery. She woke up in great shape. I slept well that night!

What inspires you to continue doing this work?

Doing this work takes me back to the basics of being a doctor — to why I wanted to become one in the first place. These people don’t have many chances in life. For me to give a little means a lot to them. When the people thank you, they really mean it. You’re the only chance they have.

Throughout last year we profiled all our physicians here at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates in a series of interviews. We were pleased to have Steven Page, MD join our SOA group late last year as Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Physician. This week, we posed those same questions to him so you might get to know him better.

Dr Page, what inspired you to become a physician?

When I was in high school, I injured my ankle playing soccer. I went to see an orthopedic sports medicine doctor. He took great care of me and led me through a rehabilitation program that got me back to playing quickly so I didn’t have to miss the season. I loved playing and being around sports. I knew then I wanted to be a sports medicine doctor so I could take of people the way he took care of me.

Why orthopedics?

I really like that we can actually fix problems and get people back to doing the things they like to do.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that my patients are really motivated to get back to what they enjoy. When patients are engaged in their own care, we work together like a team to accomplish their goals.

What is your biggest challenge?

Finding a way to spend as much a time as I can with every patient while not making the next patient I see have to wait.

If I weren’t an orthopedic physician I’d be a __________________.

A veterinarian. I have two boxers and I absolutely love animals.

Your proudest moment?

A college football player that I did a knee surgery on during my fellowship is still playing in the NFL over 10 years later today. I am proud that I had a small part in enabling his success.

Where is the most interesting place you’ve travelled? Why?

My favorite place visited is Maui, Hawaii. You can be on top of a volcano that looks like a Martian landscape in the morning and scuba diving with sea turtles in the afternoon.

Any hobbies? Activities?

I love to play sports and enjoy skiing and scuba diving. I get injured a little easier now as I get older so it helps me relate to my patients.

What’s your next adventure?

Becoming a father. I trained for years to be a surgeon, but I am totally unprepared for this.

Your guilty pleasure food?

French fries and macaroni and cheese. And I don’t feel guilty about it all!

Whether you are a weekend warrior, professional athlete, or just a regular couch potato who overused those muscles and bones, Dr Page sees patients of all walks of life and all ages from pediatric to geriatric. If you’d like an evaluation, call 941-951-2663 or schedule an appointment with us online through our web page at www.SOA.md. We have three locations and offer same day appointments. To keep up to date on everything at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates “like” us on Facebook HERE, or, follow us on Twitter HERE.

We know, we know. We can already hear you saying, “But I love my high heels”. Aesthetically, high heels make the shape of a woman’s leg more appealing yet it seems the prettiest shoes are the most dangerous. Unfortunately, high heels are the poorest shoe choice for your health, propelling your entire body out of alignment, and altering your gait. What’s a girl to do? We’re not suggesting you become a fashion “don’t”, however there are some things you should ponder before buying your next pair of high heels.

First, some facts:

Every day in the US, there are over 28,000 ankle sprains.

55% of those go untreated as “just a sprain”.

An untreated sprain may lead to future instability, early arthritis, exercise difficulty, and balance issues

High heels pull the muscles and joints out of sync with the rest of your body, causing back and knee pain.

42% of women 25-49 years of age wear heels daily; 34% of women over 50 wear them as well.

In 1986, 60% of women wore heels daily; that has decreased today to below 39%. Women are now opting for more comfort and there are many well- known brands offering sophisticated choices.

A 1” heel puts 22% of body weight on the ball of your foot; a 2” heel places 57% of your weight; and a 3” heel puts a whopping 76% of your body weight on the forward foot. Ouch.

So, how can you be fashionable and healthy at the same time? Some tips:

July 4th. This is not simply a day of fireworks, a holiday from work, backyard cookouts, or celebration. It is also one of reflection. What does it mean and how did we get here 241 years later from the most monumental day in our history?

In 1776, the 13 colonies legally declared themselves a new nation, proclaiming independence from the British Empire. Historians dispute the date, claiming the actual signing of the vote was July 2nd with the Declaration becoming official on the Fourth of July. Five representatives were responsible for drafting the Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson cited at the primary author.

This week we reflect on those important words we learned as children … the words that protect our freedom and independence.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” (For the full text of the Declaration click HERE.)

Leonardo da Vinci was quoted as saying “The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art”. He wasn’t kidding around considering a human foot contains 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Because the foot is so intricate, there are so many things that can go awry; a break or fracture in any area can have an effect in another area of the body. In every case, an injury as serious as a fracture will mean the inability to bear any weight. This can be quite painful, offset balance, increase pressure on the opposite leg and joints, and even affect overall mood due to lack of exercise that may ensue. If not addressed quickly, a collapsed bone, severed ligament, or permanent deformity may develop.

In the case of breaks or fractures, foot treatment can be as straightforward as a cast or brace if treated quickly. A digital x-ray will indicate how to proceed. When an MRI is indicated, our office has a digital extremity MRI which means just the foot and ankle are inserted into the machine … no confining tube for your body! If the break is serious or ignored, surgery may be an option to offset the shift in the foot/ankle structure. Stress fractures may require protective footgear for a period of time.

Swelling is a sure sign that medical attention is in order, but it doesn’t always indicate a compromised bone. Swelling of the foot and ankle could be a result of an injury, but may also be caused by a medication, diet, pregnancy, or blood clot. Determining the source of swelling requires a medical diagnosis.

Bunions occur at the base of the large toe forcing the toe to migrate toward the smaller ones.

Corns and calluses, or thick, hard areas of dead skin, are caused by friction or pressure.

Gout is actually a type of arthritis that occurs in the big toe.

Athlete’s foot is contagious, usually picked up by going barefoot in damp areas like a locker room.

Hammertoes can be painful, generally seen in any of the middle toes when bent at the middle joint. It is often hereditary.

Plantar fasciitis is often at the worst case in the morning and is noted with pain across the bottom of the foot.

There are more common foot conditions, and fortunately, they are generally correctable.

Our team of physicians at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates handles many types of extremity, joint, and back injuries. While all injuries are to be taken seriously, damage to the foot and ankle musculoskeletal system should be carefully monitored, as these injuries may cause challenges in other parts of the body. If you’ve had an accident and are seeking treatment, contact us today at 941-951-2663 to make an appointment. We have four locations and offer same day appointments when necessary. You may also make an appointment directly through our website at www.SOA.md Just click on the button at the home page to request an appointment.

If you live in or near Sarasota, you likely know Randall Morgan, MD as a surgeon at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates. Did you know he’s also a very talented musician and leader of his band, “Soul Sensations”? Huffington Post Contributor, Leni Miller caught up with him to talk about the importance of loving what you do. Read it here or go to the link at the end of the story.

MUSIC, MEDICINE, AND A LIFE HE LOVES by Leni Miller, Huffington Post Contributor

After recruiting for many years, I had found that many more people are in their wrong work than in their right work.

People who are in right work have certain qualities in common:

They are happier.

They take more risks.

They more often walk “the road less traveled.”

The first thing I did when I interviewed Dr. Morgan was to confirm that his passion for music was tightly intertwined with his commitment to medicine.

In doing so, I discovered that Dr. Randall C. Morgan is not just an average surgeon, but…

“an orthopedic surgeon who has achieved a career of excellence in service to his patients, visionary leadership in group medical practice, community and youth mentorship and leadership in several national medical organizations. He presently serves as the Executive Director of the W. Montague Cobb/National Medical Association (NMA) Health Institute. He is the founding Executive Director and has served in that position since June 2005. Dr. Morgan also served as the 95th President of the NMA from 1996-1997. He remains engaged in the practice of orthopedic surgery in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL with specialty in Pediatric Orthopedics and Adult Reconstructive Orthopedics” (http://www.thecobbinstitute.org)

As a youngster in Gary Indiana, in the fifties, Randall Morgan grew up as an only child. He listened to music alone in his room and the Doo Wop era had started. He sang out loud in front of the mirror in his room, mimicking the popular bands at the time. One summer, his uncle (a music teacher in Los Angeles) gave him a B Flat silver clarinet and a few lessons during a visit to California. His parents also gave him lessons for the clarinet. These were the last lessons he took. Everything else was self-taught and all during his education, he played music in bands and groups and sang in choirs. Only later, in medical school, would his dual tracking of study and music slow down to limit music performances to only twice a year.

If you don’t remember Doo Wop, you are not old enough. Those of us who grew up in the sixties and seventies are sixteen years old again the minute we hear the Platters sing “the Great Pretender,” “At the Hop” or “There’s a Moon Out Tonight”!

It was the music of our first dances and our first loves.

What I wanted to know most of all from Dr. Morgan, was how it was possible to maintain a passionate engagement with both medicine and music throughout a lifetime. I knew Dr. Morgan had earned myriads of honors and accolades for leadership in both music and medicine. I later learned he had also started a nonprofit research institute to address the issues of under served populations with diminished health care resources.

What were his secrets?

Dr. Morgan had been raised to be a hard worker. But, after working in his father’s pharmacy as a child, he realized that he didn’t want work that would require working from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. At the pharmacy, he met doctors dropping off prescriptions all through his childhood. As a result, he began to be drawn to medicine as a profession. After medical school, he realized that music appreciation was in so many of his classmates. Even in medical school, with all of the pressure for academic excellence, he hung onto music and performed twice a year. Over time, as his professional life grew, so did his commitment to music whenever it could possibly fit into his life. He told me that he had realized over time that both professions demanded the same strengths, talents and abilities. What were they?

1) The ability to perform.

2) The cultivation of innovation and creativity.

3) Leadership talent.

“What are the challenges of such passionate commitment to both music and medicine?”, I asked Dr. Morgan.

“To do music and not have it compete with patient care or create a perception of competition.” He said. “I like sometimes to travel with my music to where people don’t know I’m an MD.”

I wondered what were the values reflected in both medicine and music?

Dr. Morgan loves to help people. He told me:

“Whether it’s Rhythm and Blues or Mozart, something happens to people when they hear good music. Something happens to the body and soul’s vibration. People respond to music nostalgically; they tend to want to go ‘back home’ and what is home? Is it the location, the memories? What made it home? When I do surgery, I listen to classical music. It calms my mind. When I communicate with patients, I always want to help them understand and calm down and feel better than they felt before. I believe that medicine and music come from the same part of the brain.”

His biggest challenge? “Keeping it all together! All we have is 24 hours in a day and how does each one of us spend that time?”

I have learned that right work is directly connected to the fulfillment of current priorities as well as the utilization of talents, skills, abilities and an alignment of values. As Dr. Morgan’s personal priorities shifted, he had created “new” right work several times before in his life.

Dr. Morgan relocated to Florida in April of 2005 where he established a new orthopedic surgery practice and continued to serve all patients including those who are underserved. He is now an associate physician at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates, a prestigious specialty practice in Sarasota and Bradenton, FL. He presently serves as Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Florida State School of Medicine and as Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. It is there that he continues to develop his research interest in health and healthcare disparities and musculoskeletal disparities as well. He has made over 200 scientific presentations and has published many peer reviewed articles and a book chapter in orthopedic surgery, health policy and health disparities. (http://www.thecobbinstitute.org)

Now, Dr. Morgan’s current priorities are shifting, and he is once again, planning a change in his right work. At age 73, he is now aware that he doesn’t want to “run as fast as he has been asked to run”.

He wants more time with family and more time to spend on music and mentoring younger musicians. He told me that the wonderful thing about both medicine and music is you can do both until you die if you manage it right.

Now, he sees that his surgery days and the high pressure demands of volume patient care will morph into more of a daytime office practice. Additionally, he will spend more time with his Cobb Research Institute leadership addressing the lack of effective minority health care delivery.

I asked Dr. Morgan what advice he would give the rest of us so we, too, can create lives we love as much as he loves his life. He said:

“Define what is important at this stage of your life!”

“Be inquisitive and take the road less traveled and have confidence in your choice!”

“Don’t be risk adverse”

“Be innovative. Don’t think life is a canvas that you can neatly paint on. Things happen serendipitously and the outcome depends on how you react to them.”

“Sense where you want to go and don’t need to know the details”.

“Understand that life is a creative process.”

I told Dr. Morgan that my accident with its fractured knee cap has actually allowed me to personally re-evaluate my own priorities and realize that they too were shifting for me. The most significant benefit I received however was not just the great surgery, that required me to slow down, or the extra 12 days I got to spend with my dad and his wife, but it certainly and without a shadow of a doubt, was the inspiration I received from Dr. Randall C. Morgan!

Against many odds, Dr. Morgan has tenaciously and creatively created, and continues to find and customize his right work as he now enters the seventh decade of his life.

Thank you, Dr. Morgan, for sharing your story and your inspired creation of a life you love!

At Sarasota Orthopedic Associates we are often asked, “My thumb hurts, is this part of aging? Must I live with it or can something be done?” The good news is a resounding YES THERE IS HELP and treatment is typically non-invasive.

Thumb pain is common among females over the age of 50. It can occur as a result of several factors: family history, repetitive pinching, twisting and turning activities, and history of trauma to the thumb. One of the most common joints in the hand to develop osteoarthritis is the thumb. In osteoarthritis there is gradual reduction of joint space. As we continue use of our hands, small muscles around the basal joint of the thumb work hard to compensate for instability. Ligaments also tend to show changes. The wear and tear of the joint exacerbates pain intensity resulting in patients modifying the way they pinch and/or delegating activities or worse, simply giving up on activities they enjoy.

Symptoms of thumb arthritis can be pain with pinching or gripping activities. Usually patients experience pain while turning keys/door knobs, writing or typing, and opening jars or lids. Pain might also occur during rest.

Treatment for thumb arthritis can be operative or non-operative. Non-operative measures could include cortisone injection for pain reduction or a consultation with a hand therapist.

At Sarasota Orthopedic Associates, hand therapy consultation includes comprehensive evaluation to understand the activities that cause pain. It also includes measuring the range of motion and strength in both hands. Your hand therapist might fabricate a customized brace to rest the affected joints. Patient education is the most important part of treatment. Our hand therapists will educate you on various pain management strategies, activity modification, or a customized brace to immobilize the wear and tear on the joints. If range of motion is affected we can teach stretching and dynamic stabilization exercises to strengthen the small muscles of hand. Additionally, there are joint protection techniques to reduce stress in the affected joints.

Success of conservative management depends on several factors such as intensity of the arthritis and patient compliance in following through with the therapist recommendations.

Don’t give up on your thumb discomfort. Sarasota Orthopedic Associates has Certified Hand Therapists in all of our three locations. Check out our website at www.SOA.md where you may make an appointment online or call 941-951-2663. We offer same day appointments when necessary.

At Sarasota Orthopedic Associates we are so much more than physicians and medical support staff. We believe supporting our local community through non-profit organizations is an essential component of what we represent. Our professional mission is to get our patients back to their lives, however, that mission extends to our responsibility to the local community as well. We believe physical and financial support to local non-profit groups helps our community flourish by providing educational opportunities for our youth, keeping our arts and cultural groups thriving, supporting sports events to mature, and enabling the well-being of those we touch throughout the year. Most of all, the sustenance we provide to these organizations simply makes us proud knowing we are able to help others.

There is not a day ending here at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates without an organization asking for our help. We wish we could answer all those appeals particularly when the need is so great. We endeavor to allocate our support not only to charitable organizations, but more so to those where SOA is able to actively participate as a dynamic partner in serving a cause.

Here are just a few organizations we’ve supported over the past year:

Circus Arts Conservatory

Nate’s Honor Sanctuary

Southeastern Guide Dogs

Lakewood Ranch High School Athletics

Booker High School Athletics

YMCA Frank Berlin Branch

Players Theatre

West Coast Black Theatre Troupe

Premier Sports Campus

Big Brothers / Big Sisters

Legacy Trail Expansion

Last year was our first Holiday Giving Tree mission and it profoundly touched the hearts of every staff member here at #TeamSOA. This year we hope to begin earlier and reach out to even more families in anticipation of lifting their spirits during the holiday season. We invite you to join us in early November, when we begin fulfilling the wishes of local families in need. Watch our blog for details, send us your comments here, or email Swall@SOA.md to learn how you might partner with us.

Sarasota Orthopedic Associates physicians handle many types of muscle, joint, and spine conditions and injuries. While all of these should be taken seriously, damage to the foot or ankle can result in issues in other parts of the body.

Common Foot and Ankle Injuries

There are many bones in the foot and ankle, and fractures or breaks of each can have a different effect on the body. In every case, an injury as serious as a fracture will mean a sharp inability to bear any weight. This can be quite painful and may offset balance, put increased pressure on the other leg and joints, and even affect overall mood due to the lack of exercise that will likely ensue. If the break or fracture is not addressed quickly, a collapsed bone, severed ligament, or permanent deformity can develop.

Swelling is a sure sign that medical attention is needed in the foot or ankle, but this does not always mean a compromised bone. Swelling can result from everything from prescribed medication, diet, pregnancy, and blood clots. Determining, in these cases, the source of swelling requires a professional diagnosis.

Available Treatments

In the case of breaks or fractures, foot treatment can often be as straightforward as a cast or brace if treated in a timely manner. After an X-ray procedure, a physician can determine how to proceed. Otherwise, if the break is serious enough or ignored, surgery will be necessary to offset the shift in the foot and ankle structure. Other cases, such as stress fractures, may require protective footgear for two to four months.

As for swelling, diagnostics heavily determine the treatment. If the problem is a result of new pressure, such as pregnancy, then protective footwear and medication may be prescribed. If swelling stems from disease, as in heart failure or alcoholism, lifestyle changes will be recommended along with protective footwear.

If you are needing foot or ankle treatment, contact Sarasota Orthopedic Associates to make an appointment today at 941-951-2663, or go to our website homepage at www.SOA.MD and schedule an appointment online. We have three convenient locations and provide same day appointments when needed.

Our hands are an intricate marvel of the human body. With 27 bones in each hand and wrist it’s no surprise so much can go wrong for so many people.

We often think of injuries to athletes or common clumsy mishaps when a hand is injured. It’s not just athletes who come to us for problems with their hands and wrists. Every day, people of all backgrounds share challenges of pain in the hand or wrist. Think about the different occupations that might develop some form of hand/wrist pain and how it could affect their lives:

String musicians

Administrative workers using laptops

Cashiers using a laser scanner at check-out

Custodians

Homemakers

Gardeners/Landscapers

Mechanics & assembly workers

Accountants

Butchers

Food preppers

In reality, we are all at risk for hand or wrist issues at some point in our lives. One of the more common complaints we see at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates is carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a result of overuse and presents with a tingly feeling or numbness, typically a result of pressure on a nerve in the wrist. Tendinitis will appear with a weakness, discomfort, and/or limited movement. DeQuervain’s has the tendons swollen on the thumb side of the wrist. Trigger Finger presents on a finger that is difficult to bend or straighten and you may see a bump on the palm near the affected finger. You may have heard the condition Dupuytren’s, which a fibrous thickening of tissue causing a finger (or fingers) to curl up. Let’s not forget cysts and arthritis. Oh my … so many things to go wrong!

Not all hand conditions require treatment, particularly if there is no associated pain or impairment to your daily activity. It’s always a good idea to be safe and see a physician if you have a specific concern. Ultimately, when you do need treatment, not to worry, we have you covered. Gregory Farino, MD is our hand and wrist physician treating hand/wrist disorders in conjunction with our Certified Hand Therapists at each of our three locations. Our commitment at Sarasota Orthopedic Associates is to get our patients back on their feet, back to work, back in the game, and back to life!

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Our Mission

Sarasota Orthopedic Associates provides the highest level of compassionate and professional orthopedic care while treating our patients with the utmost respect, privacy and concern. Our commitment is to get our patients back on their feet... back to work... back in the game... back to life.